Parma Ham Exports Take Off

21.03.2008

Parma, 21 March 2008. 2007 was a record year for Parma Ham exports, where sales increased by 9% by the close of the year. This growth is significantly higher than the 1.5% increase in sales of general Italian cured ham. More than 2 million Parma Hams crossed the country's borders, an increase of 175,000 hams on the previous year's figures. Today exports account for 22% of Parma Ham's total annual production. This is an exceptional figure if compared to the Italian food industry's national average of 15%, and that of the cured meats sector, of just over 10%.

The total exports of Italian cured ham (including Parma Ham, speck, coppa and culatello), has a value of around 170 million Euros, and Parma Ham accounts for 37% of this total. Of particular note are the excellent export sales of packs of pre-sliced Parma Ham, which increased by 25% as compared to 2006. Parma Ham producers sold around 50 million packs - more than 5,200 tons of ham. Of these pre-sliced packs, 14 million were sold in Italy while 36 million crossed the Italian borders. Parma Ham is now sold in over 60 countries worldwide.

With a share of 65%, the European Union accounts for the majority of exports, but the non-European share is growing considerably and has crossed the half million products threshold. Analysis of the country by country export figures showed great results from France (+5,6% with 455 thousand hams), the United States (+17,8% with 426 thousand hams), Great Britain (+18,1% with 280 thousand hams) and the Northern European countries in general, which showed double figure growth. Outside Europe, Canada maintained its position, while exports to new economies such as Hong Kong, Singapore, Dubai, Korea and Thailand, are thriving. Australia's debut is also very encouraging, with 13,500 hams exported in the first year, despite problems relating to the availability of exportable products - an excellent sign for the future.
 
"I'm extremely satisfied: Parma Ham exports showed a growth of 9%: foreign markets now represent 22% of our business. The results achieved are the product of a clear strategy by the Consortium, which has invested resources and energy in the development of foreign markets over the last few years", Stefano Tedeschi, president of the Parma Ham Consortium states.

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